Blunderov
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"We think in generalities, we live in details"
  
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virus: RE: virus : Enthymeme
« on: 2004-06-11 15:12:56 » |
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[Blunderov] I have never heard of this before. Interesting word.
Best Regards.
http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/general/bldef_enthymeme.htm
<q>
Definition:
An enthymeme is a deductive argument which is expressed in ordinary
language, rather than formal logical language, and from which some key
premise has been omitted (usually because, in ordinary conversation, it does
not need to be expressed). For example:
Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is mortal.
This argument leaves out the premise "All men are mortal," which is found
when this argument is expressed more formally:
All men are mortal.
Socrates is a man.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
Normally, there is nothing wrong with an enthymeme - but using them can give
the appearance of creating a non sequitur, so one should be careful. Using
them can also mask an important premise, as with the following quote taken
from a press release from the Ayn Rand Institute:
skin color... should not be a factor in evaluating... competence or moral
stature. It follows that skin color should not be a factor in taking actions
toward other people, e.g., hiring and admitting to universities.
The above argument is an enthymeme, because it leaves out the critical
premise "Hiring and university admission should be based solely on
competence or moral stature." Without that premise, the above argument would
simply be a non sequitur. Enthymemes should not, therefore, be employed when
the missing premise is at all questionable or debatable. </q>
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